Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations: Yellow fire danger warning The fire danger situation today (October 11) is yellow and the risk of fire is high. People are urged to prevent fires breaking out and hik… read more
Attention TV/radio announcers: Please broadcast the following as soon as possible: Here is an item of interest to swimmers. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced toda… read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson for the Hospital Authority (HA) made the following appeal today (October 11) regarding the condition of a patient who requires urgent heart transplant.
A 3-month-old baby girl who requires urgent heart transplant is currently in critical condition at the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit of the Hong Kong Children’s Hospital. In response to an urgent appeal from her parents, the HA appeals to members of the public to actively support organ donations and consider donating the heart of deceased relatives to give new life to others.
Given the critical condition of the patient, in addition to proactively searching for a suitable heart locally, the HA will also seek assistance from the Mainland through relevant procedures as soon as possible. When a patient willing to donate an organ has passed away and no suitable patient is identified on the Mainland, the cross-boundary organ donation and matching mechanism will facilitate a transplant in Hong Kong to bring hope to a critically ill patient.
The spokesperson emphasised that when a suitable heart is found, the HA will strictly follow the relevant organ transplant regulations and make an application with the authorities to ensure that all procedures comply with relevant standards and regulatory requirements. The HA will arrange transplant operations with an aim to save the patient’s life as soon as possible.
For critically ill patients with organ failure, an organ transplant is often the only hope for extending life. When deceased patients and their families make the selfless decision to donate organs for patients in need of organ transplantation, it not only gives critically ill patients the hope of life but also eases their families’ hardships. The HA appeals to the public to extend their compassion, blessings, and care to those still fighting for their lives. read more
​Hong Kong Customs yesterday (October 9) detected three drug trafficking cases involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 13.5 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds and about 3kg of suspected methamphetamine with a total estimated market value of about $5.2 million.
The first and second case involved two male passengers, aged 24 and 20, who respectively arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, and from Chiang Mai, Thailand, via Bangkok, yesterday. During customs clearance, about 7.8kg and 5.7kg of suspected cannabis buds was seized from their check-in suitcases respectively. The two men were subsequently arrested. The dangerous drugs were packed in plastic bags and vacuum-sealed bags, and mix-loaded with personal belongings.
The third case involved a 30-year-old male passenger arriving in Hong Kong from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, yesterday. During customs clearance, about 3kg of suspected methamphetamine was found concealed in the false compartment of his check-in suitcase. The man was subsequently arrested.
Investigations of the three cases are ongoing.
Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary returns. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.
Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson for Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital (PYNEH) made the following announcement today (October 10) regarding an event involving insertion of nasogastric tube:
A 76-year-old male patient was clinically admitted to PYNEH yesterday (October 9) for a scheduled colonoscopy. Owing to his clinical needs, a nasogastric tube was inserted on the day of admission for drug administration. The nasogastric tube was subsequently found to have been misplaced in the bronchus and the medication has entered the patient’s lungs. In view of the episode of transient deterioration of the condition, the patient was subsequently transferred to Intensive Care Unit for further support. The patient is in critical condition but had gradually improved after treatment.
After initial investigation, it was found that the procedure for verifying nasogastric tube position was in compliance with the prevailing guideline. A chest X-ray was arranged to confirm the tube position. It was suspected that an intern doctor had misinterpreted the chest X-ray findings, and could not identify that the nasogastric tube was misplaced in the bronchus. Following drug administration, the patient developed abdominal pain and shortness of breath. Immediate assessment and treatment were provided to the patient. The nasogastric tube was found to be misplaced in the bronchus upon re-examination of the chest X-ray.
PYNEH is very concerned about the incident and has contacted the patient’s family to provide explanation and extend sincere apologies. PYNEH will continue to closely communicate with the patient’s family and provide necessary assistance to them. Meanwhile, the hospital has reported the case to the Hospital Authority Head Office (HAHO) through the Advance Incident Reporting System, and will continue to enhance training and supervision for interns. A Root Cause Analysis Panel will be set up for investigation. The report will be submitted to HAHO in eight weeks. The Panel members are as follows:
Chairperson:
Dr Michael Wong
Director (Quality and Safety), Hospital Authority
Members:
Dr Ng Man-fai
Consultant, Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Tuen Mun Hospital
Ms Louisa Leung
Senior Manager (Nursing), Hospital Authority
Dr Nicole Chau
Senior Manager (Patient Safety and Risk Management), Hospital Authority
Dr Sara Ho
Service Director (Quality and Safety), Hong Kong East Cluster
Mr Mok Long-chau
Cluster General Manager (Nursing), Hong Kong East Cluster read more